What do you guys think? Did you like the tone of the CV or the American Professional better? Enjoy :)

I think the Strat sounded great compared to the Strat. But then again the Strat sounds great too.

It's worth mentioning that the Squier is a third of the price of the American Professional.

There's one other advantage to the CV: the lack of resale value makes it attractive as a mod platform. My 70s has lockers, a Obsidianwire harness, custom planet tone pickups, and a huge brass block. It's exactly my guitar. I wouldn't dream of doing that to an American strat.

Classic vibes are the absolute best bang for the buck when it comes to just guitars in general to me

Gotta say, I definitely preferred the Squire. I loved that bright, punchy sound a lot. Darrell, I'd love for you to do a comparison of the Squire CVs 50s, 60s & 70s because I can't decide which one I want to buy.

Love your reviews! Always fair and balanced in a way I can rely on to refer to when I'm looking at guitars! Plus you always have interesting comparisons that try things I have wanted to try but for some reason or another I have not! Great insights, keep it up!!!

Darrell, this is one of the best, most honest, comparison I've encountered on the internet- period. Thank you very, very much.

I don't know if there was a true "winner", but there definitely wasn't a "loser," so, for me, considering the cost, I'd go with the Squier, because that's the way my wallet rolls. lol :)

Bought my Squier Strat (made in Japan) over 30 years ago... it's still the one I play the most of all the guitars I own and I've got Gibson L/P , PRS and a Fender USA Tele hanging on the wall in my studio. If (god forbid) I had a fire, it's the one I'd grab because It's irreplaceable. TBH it's been modded over the years... Evans pups, new pots and switch, shielding, so it's quieter for recording, but I just love this guitar for how it plays and feels... and that's what matters. Think I preferred the tonality of the American professional over the CV, but that's just personal taste.

Great video Darrell. I have a vintage modified 70s Squier and love it. A well respected luthier in my area said “just leave it as it is”. No need to upgrade if you’re not a professional musician. Duncan Designed pickups sound great. Love the guitar.

Excellent comparison, love this channel for this, it helps everyone, amateur player-intermediate-professional Great vid again!

I've had many Squiers over the years and still do. I've lowered the pickups to balance between them and round out the sound. It's standard practice to lower the pickups on a guitar with hotter pickups, as you have shown us in previous videos.

Great video, Darrell! I’ve played for many years. I own a ‘57 Classic Vibe reissue with locking tuners and lace sensor pickups. This thing plays and sound great. I would definitely gig with it. I can’t justify the additional cost of the American Fender.

Always complete and honest. Thank you Darrel.

The classic vibe has a bone nut per Sweetwater specs. Good video!

Solid comparison ... really enjoyed this one!

I appreciate this video as I just recently got the squier fiesta red. Loved the look but loved it even more when I played it.

Your the man for bringing it to us. Thanks bro

Aha! I'm first in! Thanks for the video, DB!...Pretty cheap to replace the pots and switch and output jack on the Squier, and Fender standard tuners are only about $45. Along with a bone nut, that can really bring the Squier up to par. Even the Affinity series had come a long way.

Thanks Derrel! You do a solid and fair review of these instruments. A believe a person could by a guitar based on your results

I have an 80s squire strat and I adore it, it's now my main guitar when I never thought anything would replace my jaguar, but it's soooo smooth and sweet. 🕺

Excellent review, Darrell. Thanks. I'm currently looking at getting a CV, and was also drawn to the new Fender Player series. So.... with a CV at £320 and a Player at £895 I think you've made my mind up for me!! Ta.

Man, that Classic Vibe Strat really holds it own against the American Professional model. I think if I was blindfolded, I honestly wouldn't have been able to tell a difference tone wise! Great demo as always Darrell! Keep up the fantastic work.

I just bought mine yesterday, CV 70's. I'm blown away!

That's nuts. I play Stratocasters in position 5 about 95% of the time. That Squier sounded better to me than the American Pro. I own a USA Strat, and a couple of Mexicans, and they're beautifully made instruments, but my Squier Jaguar is awfully nice, too.

I have the classic vibe tele, love it. All my other strats and teles are Mexican made. Love them too. One Japanese tele, great guitar. My contention is that a good guitarist can make a shoe box and rubber bands sound good. Good vid. Thank you

I own a 2021 60s Squier Classic Vibe Strat the new way they make them and I absolutely love everything about it. Even the color (Lake Placid Blue) looks awesome. I dont need a more costly Strat, this Squier Strat kills.

4:50 I thought you were about to play Tifa's theme from FFVII lol. Great vid! Makes me want to pick up a classic vibe strat to be honest :)

I picked up a 50's classic vibe new for about $420 CDN. Unbelievable value, great guitar.

Great comparison. I just picked up the Gold 40th Anniversary Squier Strat, and they even put a bone nut on it! Can't beat them for the price, as you have pointed out!

For my ear... squier cv is more "original strat-tone" that we're all familiar with. It's all about Sound not the price :)

Well, that was unexpected. I had thought that the Fender would win out in terms of sound quality but in most of the positions I found the Classic Vibe was brighter and had a livelier tone with the exception of the position 1 sound which is where I really preferred the Fender. There are areas where I think the Fender wins such as the trem design, the tuner quality and the quality of woods (visually speaking) along with having the rosewood fingerboard and a neck finish that looks like it is less likely to create extra finish when you want to slide your hand up the neck. Do I think that those features are worth the price difference? No way. There are some Squire models I think that are more competitive with the Fender (matching most of the features) but this one is doing a pretty good job as it is.

I have a CV 60. It plays like a dream. I changed the tuners for locking ones, just for quickness of string changes, and plan changing trem for a modern 2 screw one. Apart from that, its all good.

For the hobbyist/amateur band member you can’t go wrong with the Squier CV. Great value for the money. I have a CV Tele and it’s a great sounding and playing guitar. I do use an EQ pedal on my board to round out the tone.

WELL, that was a good comparison. I would have liked for you to mention the listed nut widths vs your measurements for the nut widths, SO I will dock you a point there. And WELL, a mention of the difference of the trems being 2 point vs 6 point would have been helpful too (because some of us are watching this video on our phones), SO that would have been helpful. I bought an Player Strat new, but on sale for US$539 last year SO, I feel like I got close to an American Player for just over a Classic Vibe price and WELL, sometimes people get lucky. SO, I’m not going to buy either one, but WELL it is always nice to hear an expert’s opinion. SO, keep up the good work work and… WELL, prepare for winter!

My fav strat since I bought it in 2011. Finish is unbelievable well done and the pups are also cool. Put in SSL1's and couldn't be happier...

Man Squier is killing it . Played an Affinity series Jazzmaster at the local guitar shop - super sweet .

I'm tele guy but each time I hear a strat I'm like I need one of those

While sound preference is subjective, I prefer the warmer sound from the fender.

i have never seen an uneven movement from you.even your smile is beautiful.we are proud.

I’ve got both too. And fully agree with all you say. Great review. 🙋‍♂️🇬🇧🎸

The brightness may partially be due to the maple fretboard of the CV. Some say that dosent make a difference but I believe it does

Wow" they both sound so super awesome 👌 can't tell a lot more, but they both look great... and are so beautiful... good job showing 👏

If you are on a budget, a Classic Vibe plus a Fender Deluxe Reverb for about the same money as an American Professional is very tempting.

Always like your comparisons, Darrell. Happy holidays, bro. When able, get the Helix from monoprice @ $152. Of all my 'bargain' guitars, which I have some good ones out of 27, this one tops them all. Aesthetics; playing ability & tone I can listen to w/o any fatigue. It's like a great Steinway where Middle C caresses the acoustic nerve.

You can tell, just a slight difference. The American sounds warmer, slightly better-but not by a whole lot! The Classic Vibe is one of the best deals in guitars to be had. I bought a Classic Vibe Thin line. I put Hipshot locking tuners on it, and a Wilkinson steel bridge with brass compensated saddle and I can't put that sucker down..(lol) My Classic Vibe sounds and plays great! Thanks for the video.

Another informative and fun vid Darrell! How about a CV 50s vs CV 60s? That might be a better compare and contrast for the budget players or the modders!

I always love your A/B comparison videos and this one is also very good. I have an older Squire CV 50s and with stock trem floated, the thing stays in tune very well. I think perhaps the springs need to be more broken in or do a better job of pre-stretching the strings? Unless you strung the guitars up yourself, that alone could be the difference. Otherwise it's gotta be the nut needs better cut and/or lube. Nearly all vintage locking tuners I have had work better than standard Fender tuners for stability, all other things being equal. I suggest a little touch up on the nut, some lube, and a good string stretch, float that trems, then give em a good work out and let's see! Thanks

Great comparison 👏 👍 👌

I scored my 60s classic Vibe for 190 bucks I plan on some upgrades, but for now don't fix it if it ain't broke. I absolutely love my classic vibe. I own about 15 electric guitars and it has become one my favorite guitars to play out of my collection.

When the playability and price (and appearance?) are so good, adjusting the tone with some new pickups is still MILES cheaper than buying an American Pro. I put Seymours in my Squier CV Tele (thinline!) and it’s a dream for me, for half the price.

Another great video.

In and of itself, this Squire is playable with good sound. I bought one for mods: switch, pots, tuners and pickguard.

Real impressed with the Squier. I have a few in addition to Fender. Consistency is great. The 50s CV sounded great.

Definitely brighter and punchier tone on all positions with the Classic Vibe and there are times when that would be a good thing. Still, very classic Fender sound from the CV as well as the AP. The one thing I noticed is a noticeable lack of sustain on the CV. The American Professional rang on quite nicely. In the end I was very impressed with the CV. I have a MIM HSS that I like on all points better than the 80s American Standard I used to own. Long live the Strat! Thanks for making this video.

Nice review

Love my Fender Squier 50's Classic Vibe! I added Highwood saddles, D"Addario Pure Nickel EPN110 strings and a solid brass "shorty" "Squier" trem block (from guitar fetish). It sounds GREAT!

Thank you-I think they were close, and yet the Fender seems a little better in most sounds, except maybe position 4... a pleasure either way.

Man, I'm just looking to buy a Strat and precisely that Fiesta Red is my favorite ... Thanks for the video.

Awsome rewiews, please do a Sire Larry Calton S7, I think the best buy strat yet, cant wait to see your opinion. :)

Maybe it's weird, but my ear leans toward the classic vibe. I just think it sounds better than tbe American professional.

Good video. Would like to see a comparison between Fender Player or Squire CV and Vintage V6.

Liked the way you demonstrated with the clean tones! I have been debating on the classic player vs the Pro II. I played a pro II recently and preferred it to he Ultra. Wonder how the G&L tribunes stack up these days too. I had one, sold it, and now wish I had not!.

I had that classic vibe and it was such a amazing onr

One thing that you might check for us Darrell is how the neck pocket was routed in the Classic Vibe? Reason being, a lot of people will use the Classic Vibe as a modding platform (which I agree, it does make a solid one) but for example, I have an old Squier that I really liked, but the frets finally wore out, and a new fret job was more than the guitar, so I tried a warmoth neck (which have always worked great for me) and the neck pocket in the Squier was just unusable. It wasn't deep enough and the screw holes were slightly off center. I think it'd be great to see if the Classic Vibes have remedied that and a new Fender Roasted Maple neck would fit for example! That can be a reason to get an actual Fender versus the Classic Vibe if you plan to keep it and play it the rest of your life

Awesome I liked the American better. Now let’s see the tele comparison!

Would like to see a video of you modding out the squire to your preferences

I like the CV a lot! For the price, it's unbeatable to my ears and wallet. However, I don't think I could live with the vintage tremolo and would have to replace it with a 2 point trem soon. (that said, I'm happy that I was able to pick up a Squier Deluxe when they were available and started some minor upgrading, which is eventually going to make it into a beast of a workhorse; twin pivot trem is on board, satin finish neck, replaced the abysmal cast iron block with a brass block, which added sustain, had some fret adjustments done by the guitar tech, it plays and sounds like a champ, I have to say at the rist of rubbing it in.... O:-) ) Thanks for the comparison, always great content here!

I have a Indonesian squier standard stratocaster 22 frets, alnico pups. In my opinion better than the classic vibe and sometimes I think I'm actually playing a USA FENDER. However I also have a squier bullet strat 21 frets which I have actually installed a classic vibe fully loaded scratch plate. And I must say it is amazing that upgrading that one thing has made this Chinese bullet strat sound like a real deal stratocaster. Obviously there are quality differences but getting back to the the squier standard stratocaster with the 2 point tremolo I am gob smacked it is phenomenal and better than some USA Strats that I have played. I guess I just got lucky and picked up one that was quality controlled from Indonesia. But the classic vibe is a brilliant guitar for the money all the same. Good on you Darren for letting people know that it's not always about the price. And a seasoned player will have no regrets with a classic vibe. I just prefer the 2 point trem, therefore I am stating that the squier standard stratocaster for me is the ultimate squier. Thanks mate.

Exactly what I’ve found on my Squire. Positions 2 and 4 sound great. Position 1 is great for higher gain tones.

Wow, the classic vibe really holds its own for a fraction of the price. Solid playing technique certainly helps even the playing field though! ;-) Darrell, do you find the Fender sets up easier? Neck more stable and requires fewer truss rod adjustments as the seasons change?

I like the look of the Squier better, and the pickups sound really good. Also I like the vintage tuners. I am sure the American made one is nicer, but it’s quite a bit more $$$. I would probably put an upgraded Jack and a hot rails in it 🙌

Great video mate ………… now we gotta see the Telecaster version of this 🤞

Hey Darrel. New subscriber here. I would love some more videos on bargain telecaster. Thanks

Bought a CV 60’s Tele a few months ago, made in Indonesia. Fabulous quality and sounds great. £329 incredible value.

I play bass, but I bought a CV 50s Strat as my first electric. Paid 125.00 USD. Was played like 5 times before, no nicks or scratches. With a little EQing, I get some really nice tones. Bought some allparts classic tuners that match apple to apples. Helps keep it in tune .

I have a classic vibe and a Mexican strat. I have to say, the classic vibe is phenomenal for the price, but playing both back to back, there’s no question the Mexican one is more guitar

I just bought a 70 s classic vibe strat and it's everything I would want in a strat , playability , tone , neck action , frets are nice rounded , good tuners , pickups , just a great guitar that is just as good if not better than my 75 th anniversary mim .

Fender definitely have differing levels of value. I bought a player strat in 2019. And just got a mod shop strat a couple months ago. I was blown away at the increased quality of the mod shop guitar. And at more than double the price, it makes sense. I’ve also played 400.00 squires that melted my face. But they still didn’t feel at comfortable in the hands as the mod shop. Out of the case, that guitar became a constant companion. Even to the point it’s replaced my Schecter, a constant companion, and the guitar i played most live since 2012. I can’t say enough about the mod shop.

The Squire had a brighter, cleaner 70's sound .. Beautiful

More than the guitars, I loved the clean riffs you played Daryll. Thanks for the rundown bhai...

It's like buying stock when you find a"value" like a CV 50's Strat or Tele. I bought a couple years ago when they were Chinese (tho the new Indo made aren't bad either!) and $350 - and look! They are now $450! Yay me! For recording at home they are my go-to little BEASTS. 🎸

few years ago most guitar under 500 were horrible. But now? There are so many great guitars to choose in that range. I envy those who start learning guitar now.

I know it’s not a direct comparison… But, I am amazed by my Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster. Having previously owned a ‘01 AmSe Strat and with my current S type being an ‘84 Ibanez RS135 Roadstar II, it holds it’s own.

Here's my go to budget mods for any Squier: Gotoh locking tuners, Wilkinson bridge with steel block, CTS pots, CRL/Oak Grigsby super switch, Switchcraft jack, GraphTech TUSQ or bone nut, Seymour Duncan SSL or GuitarFetish FitsStrat pickups set. And copper/aluminium shielding tape for good measure.

The American strat did have a fuller sound, but it’s supposed to. Now the CV didn’t sound bad at all. I like the sound of the CV because it has that strat quack that I love. I would change the pots and selected switch and go with it. Besides I would buy a used CV for less than $300 and have money to upgrade. I prefer the CV over the American strat. Great comparison

Great comparison, Darren!! Can you do an in depth comparison between an Epiphone Les Paul Standard (2021) vs a Gibson Les Paul? I'm curious if the current epis can keep up.

My 16 year old niece has just got one of these Classic Vibes (red, same as yours Darrell) and I have to say there is nothing wrong with it. In fact its a superb guitar. Ok, compared to my trusty old '92 USA built Strat Plus loaded with Lace Sensors it does feel slightly 'cheaper' and sounds that bit brasher and more brittle. Using the trem does affect tuning a lot too (of course the Plus has the Wilkinson Roller Nut and Hipshot Tremsetter) but I've now hardtailed it for her as she doesn't want the trem anyway so - for the money - I have to say the Squier is an absolutely brilliant and very playable instrument. In its hardtailed state I would gig with it.

I like my Classic Vibe Telecaster. Its a great guitar. I did put locking tuners on it but other than that it is stock. Sounds great and plays great.

I would love to see you comparing Sterling's vs Music Man's Majesty!

Great video, thanks ! You've just demonstrated, and this is true for most brands and guitar kind, that the differences between high and low prices are absolutely no longer justified. For the price of a single Fender ultra you have 5 Squire CV ... Why on earth buying a Fender then ?

The Classic Vibe has a thinner sound, but has more quack in positions 2&4. Using a Nobels ODR fattens it right up when I need it.

Excellent video and comparison. Looking to get a CV to compliment my American Deluxe HSS from 2005. Great guitar but not really that classic Fender sound because of the SCN noiseless pickups. Missing that bright chime.

Having said that the CV for 399 when i bought it has been great and with a little tweak of the amp and use of the tone knows it's great. One huge disadvantage of the CV is in the 1 position bridge only the tone knows don't work so like I said the bridge position alone in my opinion is unusable. But position 2 3 4and 5 all are solid

I got all new 2021 black classic vibe 70s Strat, a purple classic vibe tele and a classic vibe jazzmaster this year. After a basic setup and polishing the frets they are all fantastic. The jazzmaster fingerboard was dry as a bone when I got it and needed the most fretwork. The bridge on it is a little finicky and constantly has to be rebalanced and may worth an upgrade. I love playing them all as much as my custom shop guitars and the tinting that Squire is doing is just perfect deep warm classic amber - not too yellow or pale straw color. Of all, the jazzmaster requires the most experience with a good setup and keeping it setup. But if you do that, it’s great. The tuners on all guitars work well. No problem with the electronics and I don’t think I’m going to upgrade any of the pickups. I have a new fender American pro 2 strat and Fender also knocked it out of the part with the upgraded version 2 series and changing the pickups and adding a tapered heel. On the squires I did sand the neck lightly to get more of a satin finish. I would also mention the American pro 2 with new pickups and tapered heel is better than the American pro 1 series and Darryl is playing an am pro series 1 Strat. The upgrade vmod2 pickups are way better than the series 1 from a few years ago and probably sound more like the classic vibe. The vmod 1 on the guitar Daryl is playing are more blah to me. But the series 2 from this year are perfect.

Great video! I’m looking at getting a squier 70s because, well the hss looks awesome. What studio monitors are you using in the background? Thanks!

I play my squire classic vibe Jaguar more than any other guitar. It has 65 pickups in it tho. But it has such a great range of sounds.

I have the same CV Squier Strat in Fiesta Red. Its a great Strat ,there is nothing better for this Money. And its like Darrell said about the Sound.

I have a 2013 CV stratocaster in Fiesta red...added tex mex pickups and gold hardware...bet it sounds as good as the American Professional now